Toyota New Zealand is recalling some of its Celica and MR-S models.

A brake system fault has prompted a worldwide recall of 650,000 cars built from mid-1999 to mid-2000.

Toyota says it imported 382 cars which are potentially affected, but others could have been imported privately or by other dealers.

It also thinks some Corolla and bB models originally made for the Japanese market from mid-1999 to mid-2000, could be affected.

Toyota is contacting owners who are potentially affected.

It says it will pay for all inspection and repair costs caused by the recall, but it thinks the problem is confined to very few cars.